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I would be extremely interested to know how rowdy99 is sure that some sex offenders are treatable. This type of offense occurs because of the perpetrator's desire for sex with persons who are considered not appropriate sexual partners for various reasons,i.e. age, mental abilities and such. These desires do not change. The person has them for life. The only way to avoid reoffending is to keep them locked up for life. They have to fight these desires when they are free to be around the objects of their desires. Most are incapable of doing that.

rowdydumass99 is actually right. There IS a cure for sexual predators. But we don't administer it in Wisconsin. You have to brew it up yourself, and then only if you catch them in the act with your child.

I have no knowledge of whether this former sex offender has plans to re-offend, has continual temptation, or has neither. I have no knowledge of whether any other offender has similar issues or not.

That said, I find it very interesting that so many commenters on this blog -- including for many previous articles -- are just so certain that previous offenders are compulsive, never change, are are always just a hair's breadth away from re-offending. I mean, how can they know? ...Unless perhaps they offended themselves or they've treated numerous offenders in their psychology practice?

I'm pretty sure that the world is full of sex offenders. Some, like the person in this article, committed a heinous crime and served prison time. Others, perhaps family members you might even know, did their crimes behind closed doors, the family covered up the abuse, and no one was ever charged. Many committed somewhat lesser sex crimes -- like the teenagers in the back seat of a car where one was of age and the other was a few months under the age of consent. Perhaps we should lock them all up, too, and make them wear ankle bracelets for life.

I have no issue with locking up serious offenders for a long time or a lifetime. I have an issue with treating those who completed their sentence like vermin for the rest of their lives because you all just know that they will eventually re-offend. I don't think 1,000 foot or 2,500 foot rules make any difference. I'm conservative and believe that prison is primarily for punishment. I'm also Catholic and cannot accept the idea that there is no possible forgiveness.

I expect that some will suggest that I should accept a sex offender living next door to me. You know what? I haven't checked to see where the nearest offender lives. No matter how close, I'm pretty sure that there are plenty of other offenders living even closer who were simply were never caught and charged. Maybe even right next door to you.

Yes, I have experience and education about this group. Your sentiments and compassion are admirable--I too am Catholic and a conservative. But facts are facts. The offenders who are predatory and act out will do it again. Just because they have completed their sentences--some of which are absurdly short--doesn't mean they are rid of their proclivities. You are also right that there are many offenders out there who are not caught. That doesn't mean that we shouldn't be concerned with the ones who were caught, and are now out. Mt caveat is to go ahead and forgive, if you want to--but keep them away from you and your family.And as for family members, you are right about that, also. Compulsive porn addicts put their children at risk by escalating and eventually viewing porn on their child's computer, for example, and leaving it there for them to find. Even if that person is not in jail, I would contend that they are a "serious offender" and should be kept away from children.I don't criticize you for accepting a sex offender living near you. I am just warning people who may not be knowledgeable about this pathology.

"The offenders who are predatory" is an interesting phrase. Which ones would you consider predatory? Are they still predatory? If they were predatory, must they forever be peredatory?

If a sex offender re-offends, it is very easy and reassuring to say, "I always knew he/she would do it again."

What about those who do not re-offend? Is it fair for everyone to walk around them asking, "When are you going to do it again?" Do you think that would help them behave better?

I have no idea what the recidivism rates are for these crimes, nor do I believe you and most other readers do, either. It sure would help to have some objective information to use when establishing sentences and developing appropriate post-release requirements. Right now, I think we have more fear and ignorance than anything else, and there is plenty of ignorance on both sides -- yours and mine.

I don't understand your outrage, or why you are so concerned with fairness re: this population. Is what they have done to their victims fair? I don't lose any sleep over their feelings, I admit. These offenders treat their victims as objects, and often saddle them with issues they have to deal with for their entire lives.A person's behavior defines who he is, I believe. If you steal something, yes--I would call you a thief. And hide my wallet if you are around.

Statistics can be misleading. There are a lot of reasons for that--manipulation of numbers or charges, for one thing. Also, organized offenders who are caught can refine their behavior in the future, to lessen their chances of getting caught. As I said, I am not criticizing anyone who wants to live next door to a sex offender. I am just putting the word out to people who are naive about this.